Book A Stay At Rome's Oldest Hotel That Seamlessly Blends Modern Amenities And Aged Charm

True to its nickname, the Eternal City, Rome, is a place dotted with cultural and historical landmarks that are thousands of years old. It holds some of the best sites to visit in Italy for ancient history lovers, including the Pantheon, the magnificent temple-turned-church that ranks as the oldest building still in use worldwide. What you might not know is that Rome's oldest hotel is also conveniently located right in front of the Pantheon. It's the Antico Albergo del Sole al Pantheon, which has been open since at least 1467, when it went by the name of Locanda del Montone, or the Ram Inn.

Built right alongside the Piazza della Rotunda, the Antico Albergo del Sole al Pantheon balances Old World architectural charm with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs. It's a boutique hotel with 28 rooms, which underwent renovations enhancing their contemporary style in late 2020. After a walk-in shower in the Junior Suite, you can sip Italian wine in your bathrobe while you surf satellite channels. It's the stuff honeymoons are made of, though the romance of it all could be enriched or undermined by the location.

Step outside, and you'll be in the heart of the Piazza della Rotunda, a public square bustling with tourists. In the early morning, however, you might feel like the empty piazza is your own private backyard. You can see it before the crowds roll in, which could be a boon for photographers who are looking to get that one perfect shot of the Pantheon.

Despite its proximity to one of Rome's most popular sightseeing spots, it is possible to get away from the noise at the Antico Albergo del Sole al Pantheon. French author Jean Paul Sartre may have once refused the Nobel Prize for Literature, but even he wouldn't refuse a stay here. Despite penning the famous line, "Hell is—other people!" in his play "No Exit," Sartre frequented the hotel with fellow existentialist writer Simone de Beauvoir. In the Sartre Suite, you may find that there is, in fact, a way to exit the madness outside with a room overlooking the hotel's peaceful inner garden.

Suites in the hotel's Via della Rosetta 11 annex have windows, balconies, and terraces with full-on Pantheon views. In the spacious, luxurious Pantheon Vista Suite Apartment, you'll have two bedrooms and marble bathrooms along with your own kitchen, where you can arrange to have the hotel's chef prepare you a private, four-course dinner. Experiences like this can be pricey, but with its more compact rooms starting as low as about $280, the hotel isn't necessarily as expensive as you might think given the location.

The Antico Albergo del Sole al Pantheon is also within walking distance of other major landmarks in Rome like the Trevi Fountain. After visiting the world's largest masonry dome in the Pantheon, you could do the "Caesar Shuffle" to see Rome's iconic sites, the Colosseum and Forum. With its unbeatable location and a surrounding atmosphere that justifies its name (Antico is Italian for "ancient"), this is one hotel to add to your Rome bucket list.